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Monday, February 4, 2013

Calling Strong Momma's

I always like to think I am strong whether it’s physically or emotionally. I
like to think I am strong enough to make it through really crappy times in
life.

We do everything as mothers to help our kids be strong. We try to make them
eat healthy and make sure they are exercise and getting a full nights rest, but
are we giving them the real tools they need to be strong?

We do everything we can to help them avoid struggles. I've seen this with my
own parents in my life time whether it’s been with myself or my brother. I've
seen me step into situations I should have let my children handle alone as
well. It’s the protective nature we have as parents. We try to shield them from
sadness, hurt and just challenges that we see them have, but the truth of the
matter is it’s not beneficial to prevent them from having these life lessons.
They need to learn and grow as we do.

The most important thing we can do for our children is to teach them about
faith and God. They will need faith to survive this ridiculous world. Our
children need to learn God is their refuge and strength and everlasting helper
when in trouble.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. -James
1:2-3

We are not always going to get what we want and our children need to learn
this as well. Also in the same we need to let our children work things out on
their own. Life is going to be hard for our children and if we aren't willing
to adjust and grow we might miss some wonderful blessings that God has for
us.

If you want to see a rainbow, you must first experience some rain!

A good momma doesn't take away her children's troubles; we must teach them
how to look for the hand of God within.

Kyle was on a basketball team one year that had a horrible childish coach.
The coaches son was as bad as the father and wasn't honestly, no disrespect
intended, no good at basketball. My son was much better but because of him not
being friends with this child, he never got to play. He was a bench warmer that
year. It really bothered Kyle. He said he could pretend to be his friend and
maybe he could play and I would tell him to do whatever he wanted to do but
nothing fake was worth doing.

I couldn't take this bad thing away from him. He loves playing sports. He
enjoys playing basketball but what could I have done? Well I can think of a few
things but let’s just skip that. I needed to teach him how to react to bad
situations and how to handle tough things on his own. I normally would sit
behind the team but when this started happening we made it a point to sit away
from them, just to give him space.

Did it change anything with him getting to play basketball? No, but it was
the reaction to the situation that mattered the most. I couldn't handle this
for him, He had to handle it himself. Was it hard on this momma that saw her
son upset? You bet but I knew it was his battle and not mine. He has to
understand disappointment for himself, pain and feelings that aren't always
pleasant to him.

He will never leave you nor forsake you - Deuteronomy 31:6

He is working out all things for the good of those who love him. - Romans
8:28

Spiritual growth always comes through struggle. I like to consider myself a
stone that the Lord has to polish to shine!

2 comments:

Thanks for this reminder! This is one of the difficult parts of parenthood, knowing when to keep our hands off and letting the Holy Spirit work in our children! This reminds me of a favorite quote: "It's not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings". Thanks for sharing!